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LaHood thinks Senate will rescue ‘clunkers’ program

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday that he thinks the U.S. Senate will rescue the popular “Cash for Clunkers” program, the Associated Press reports.

In other clunker news, Ford Motor Co. reports that with the clunkers program, July sales of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury light vehicles rose 1.6 percent from the same month last year, according to AP.

Under the program, known officially as the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, owners of older cars and trucks can trade in their old vehicle to collect $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient ride.

The federal program launched July 24 and was so popular, it quickly exhausted the $1 billion initially allocated to it. The House voted to pour $2 billion more into the program Friday, but the Senate has yet to act. LaHood, according to AP, has said that without Senate action, the program would be suspended.

Last week, Seattlepi.com’s Monica Guzman asked herewhether the program should live on.

At the local level, the City of Seattle is reminding residents about a program for drivers who want to dump driving altogether. The “One Less Car Challenge“, in place since 2003, offers incentives such as free transit passes for drivers who either agree to give up driving for a month, or who sell their car and agree not to replace it for a year. Participants also receive discounted or free membership with the Cascade Bicycle Club, discounts at bike shops, and vouchers for biking or walking gear at REI. The goal to help the environment and save people money.

The Seattle Department of Transportation currently has about 60 people enrolled in the program. About 30 have sold their car, SDOT spokeswoman Marybeth Turner said.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.